CALIFORNIA FILLS ORDERS FOR MORE THAN 5 MILLION DOSES OF H1N1 VACCINE

Date:
11/18/2009

Number:
09-110

Contact:
AL Lundeen - (916) 440-7259

SACRAMENTO

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today the tally for filling H1N1 vaccine orders is at 5,192,700 million doses, with all 61 local health jurisdictions in the state receiving allotments of the vaccine.

"We are proud of our efforts, working with our local partners, to ensure that all the H1N1 vaccine allotted to California moves from federal suppliers to California communities as quickly as possible," said Mark Horton, director of CDPH. "While delay in vaccine supply has caused considerable frustration, we urge Californians – especially those in targeted groups – to remain patient and stay current on the availability of vaccine in your community.”

As of 6 p.m. Monday, November 16, 5.29 million doses had been allocated to California by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and CDPH had filled orders for 5.19 million doses. This represents enough vaccine for about 13.4 percent of California's population.

A chart on the CDPH Web site, compares doses filled to county population, with some smaller counties receiving a somewhat higher percentage and others somewhat lower. The variance will fluctuate week to week as the orders are placed, but the goal is to have all counties receive a proportional share of the vaccine based on their population. The chart will be updated each Monday.

While there are more than 13,000 vaccinators registered with the state to provide the H1N1 vaccine, CDPH works with local health officers to prioritize the orders in ways that reach target groups first, while also ensuring an equitable distribution and as much efficiency as possible.

“Stay in touch with your health care provider or county health department for more information on the availability of vaccine,” said Horton.

Vaccine is being recommended for:

• pregnant women,• caregivers of infants under six month of age,• health care professionals,• children and young adults to age 24,• adults 19-64 with underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes or neuromuscular disease.

H1N1 flu has now hospitalized more than 5,000 Californians and claimed the lives of 297. Dr. Horton recommends common sense prevention measures to avoid the flu, which are highly effective in preventing transmission of disease. Those include frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes in the sleeve rather than the hand, and staying home when sick.